Buying a house in Venezuela from abroad: steps, power of attorney and payments

• A Venezuelan ID card (cédula de identidad).
• A current RIF, with a tax address and marital status that match your situation today.
• The money available in cash, plus a margin for the registry, the lawyer and the paperwork.
• Someone you trust in Venezuela to sign for you with a special power of attorney, if you are not going to travel.

Venezuela has been part of the Apostille Convention since 1999, as have Spain, the United States, Chile, Colombia and Canada. That leaves two routes:

The power has to be special, not general: with the exact description of the property, its registry details and the full identification of whoever grants and whoever receives the power. Vague wording is the most common reason a registry rejects one. We go into it in the guide to the special power of attorney, which works the same for buying as for selling.

The registry requires a sworn declaration on the source and use of the funds, with your details, your profession and where the money comes from. SAREN’s official form asks for no attachments, although the bank or the registrar may ask for supporting documents separately. It is explained in the guide to the SAREN appointment.

Since April 2026, OFAC General License 57 has authorised US financial services with the Banco Central de Venezuela, Banco de Venezuela, Banco Digital de los Trabajadores and Banco del Tesoro. It does not name Venezuelan private banks.

• Registry charges above the law: the fee is capped at 2% of the value, and the Cámara Inmobiliaria reports registries charging between 5% and 40%.
• A property rented under a contract from before 7 August 2026 remains under the 2011 law and is hard to recover. Always ask whether there is a tenant and since when.
• An inherited property without an inheritance tax return and clearance certificate cannot be registered in your name.
• A badly worded power of attorney, or one revoked halfway through, means starting again.
• If you are buying to rent out, check the real return and whether the building is safe first, in the guide to investing in Venezuela from abroad.

1. 1Settle the area, the cash budget and the type of property. Since the earthquakes of June 2026, ask for the building’s structural inspection status.
2. 2Visit the property by video call and ask for a copy of the title deed to review with a lawyer.
3. 3Check that the seller’s cadastral certificate and municipal tax clearance are up to date.
4. 4Grant the special power of attorney to your representative in Venezuela.
5. 5Sign a purchase option agreement with the price, the deadline and the payment terms.
6. 6Your representative signs at the registry, with your declaration on the source of funds.
7. 7You receive the registered deed and update the cadastral certificate to your name.